TENNIS
Nadal expects tough final
Rafael Nadal is to play Kei Nishikori in the Barcelona Open final after both past champions won their semi-finals in straight sets on Saturday. Nadal saw off Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany 6-3, 6-3 to return to his first Barcelona final since 2013, when he won the tournament a record eighth time. Nishikori, the two-time defending champion, beat Benoit Paire of France 6-3, 6-2 earlier on the outdoor clay court. Nadal holds an 8-1 win-loss record against Nishikori, but expects a tough final. “I will have to play my best,” he said. The top-seeded Nadal eased past Kohlschreiber, breaking his serve three times and saving the only break chance he conceded to the German. The home favorite sealed the win when Kohlschreiber hit his return long. Nishikori dominated Paire, finishing the match with a total of five of nine break chances converted.
TENNIS
Pouille, Verdasco make finall
Unseeded Lucas Pouille and Fernando Verdasco, a former top-10 player, were set to meet in yesterday’s Nastase Tiriac Trophy final. Pouille, after eliminating second-seeded Ivo Karlovic in the second round, knocked out Federico Delbonis 7-6 (4), 6-3 in the semi-finals on Saturday to reach his first career ATP World Tour final. The 22-year-old Frenchman saved all three break points he faced and got the decisive break in the second set after prevailing in the first-set tiebreaker. “The first set was tough and so was the end of the match,” Pouille said. “In those moments you have some doubts and feel more pressure. I think today I was more solid in the important moments.” Verdasco defeated defending champion Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 to improve to 7-2 against his fellow Spaniard.
TENNIS
Qualifier upsets Radwanska
Qualifier Laura Siegemund upset top-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska 6-4, 6-2 on Saturday to set up an all-German Porsche Grand Prix final with defending champion Angelique Kerber. The 71st-ranked Siegemund caused her biggest upset yet at the indoor clay-court tournament by defeating the second-ranked Radwanska in 1 hour, 23 minutes. She had already seen off the fourth-seeded Simona Halep and sixth-seeded Roberta Vinci to reach her first semi-final. Siegemund converted five of her 13 break opportunities to make yesterday’s final in her hometown. Kerber earlier defeated Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 to reach her second successive final. Second-seeded Kerber saved 10 of the 13 break points she faced and converted five of her 10 opportunities to beat the fifth-seeded Czech on her first match point.
CRICKET
Pietersen ruled out of IPL
Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen has been ruled out of the rest of the Indian Premier League (IPL) after being carried off the field with a calf injury. Pietersen faced a single ball during his side Rising Pune Supergiants’ fourth match on Friday before hurting his right calf while attempting a run. “Over & out, India! Injuries are all part of the job! Horrible tear in my calf! Sad to be leaving a really great bunch of boys but looking forward to being back with my family! London bound for a summer off! Vacation till November! Bye for now! Lots of love, KP xxx,” Pietersen wrote on his Instagram account. The 35-year-old batsman had also posted a picture of himself in a wheelchair in the dressing room, with strapping on his calf, alongside the word “Urgh!” on Facebook soon after the match against Royal Challengers Bangalore.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely